Chiapas Government Apologizes, Will Set Journalist Gianni Proiettis Free

Narco News School of Authentic Journalism professor Mercedes Osuna reported moments ago from outside the offices of the attorney general of the state of Chiapas in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, in Mexico's southernmost state, that Monica Mendoza, the personal secretary of the assistant attorney general Jorge Javier Colebro Damas, emerged in recent minutes to speak with family, friends and attorneys for Gianni Proiettis.

On behalf of the prosecutor's office, "she apologized," Osuna told us via cell phone. "She said it was a case of mistaken identity."

Proiettis will, according to the prosecutor's office, be released momentarily with no charges filed against him.

We would like to thank all the people, journalists, readers and colleagues, who spread the word, rallied and drew global attention to the illegal arrest of Proiettis, a journalist for Il Manifiesto, Liberacion and Narco News, among other publications.

And we remind the governments of the world: This is not the first time you've screwed up. Multiple arrests have been made over the past decade of our reporters by states that were not happy with our reporting. And in every single case, our journalists have been freed within 24 hours, after speedy, voluminous and global organizing campaigns to liberate them, with no charges pending. This international network of authentic journalists will never leave one of its own undefended. Come for one of us, and we're all coming right back at you.